20
Mar
Harrogate mental health charity appoints chief executive
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A Harrogate mental health charity has named its new chief executive.
Wellspring Therapy and Training, which is based on Prospect Road in Starbeck, announced today interim chief executive Nick Garrett had been appointed on a permanent basis.
Mr Garrett succeeds executive director Emily Fullerton, who left after a decade with the charity, as reported here.
Former Ripon Grammar School pupil Mr Garret lives in Knaresborough and is a pioneer pastor at the town's Gracious Street Methodist Church.
He is also a co-founder of Knaresborough Connectors who has worked in financial services, manufacturing, and local government at Leeds City Council and North Yorkshire County Council.
He said:
I care passionately about Wellspring's clients, those we see and those we are yet to see. Their lives, their strengths, their pasts and their futures are what attracted me to this role. It's an absolute honour to lead such a caring and inspirational organisation.
My mission is to build up and develop our support for children and young people across the Harrogate district. Seventy-five per cent of mental illness starts in childhood, so I want Wellspring to take the lead in developing services that tackle this appalling crisis.
Ms Fullerton said:
I am absolutely delighted to be leaving Wellspring in the very safe and capable hands of Nick, backed up by a hard-working, committed and enthusiastic team. Nick’s experience and expertise are just what Wellspring needs – and I know he will be a real asset to Wellspring.
Wellspring, a Christian charity formed in 2003, provides affordable short and long-term counselling services.
The Stray Ferret reported last year it had made several redundancies as part of a restructuring programme.
John Wood, chairman of Wellspring’s trustees, commented:
The trustees value Nick's knowledge and expertise, in particular his drive to build successful partnerships. We had no hesitation in appointing him to the role permanently and look forward to working with him.
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